September is Motorcycle Awareness Month and the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is urging Kiwis to stay alert on the road.

The state-owned insurer said the total cost of motorcycle-related claims is more than $94 million per year. In 2017, 45 motorcyclists lost their lives on the road and 7,372 motorcyclists received treatment and support from the ACC.

The symbol of ACC’s awareness campaign is a bright yellow helmet, which, it believes helps create visibility and remind all road users that “Bikes Are Back!”

Ride Forever programme manager David Keilty is urging riders to refresh their skills by taking advantage of Ride Forever coaching. He highlighted that riders, who complete a Ride Forever course, are 27% less likely to submit a claim with ACC compared to riders who haven’t completed a course.

Here are other motorcycle safety tips that brokers can pass to clients:

• Riders should turn their heads to check their blind spot, especially before changing lanes, and always look twice at intersections.
• Drivers and riders should look out for each other – be courteous and show respect for one another.
• Take the initiative to take advantage of any training opportunity.

Motorcycle Awareness Month is supported by local councils, the Motorcycle Safety Advisory Council, and ACC’s Safer Journeys partners.